Methylergonovine

Methylergonovine is a prescription medication used to treat Postpartum Hemorrhage. 

• Methylergonovine is available under the following different brand names: Methergine

Adult dosage

Injectable solution

• 0.2mg/mL

Tablet

• 0.2mg

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Adult dosage

• 0.2 mg IM/IV every 2-4 hours as needed; not to exceed 5 doses, then 0.2-0.4 mg orally every 6-8 hours as needed for 2-7 days
• Administer IV only in an emergency because of potential for hypertension and CVA
• Administer over 1 minute and monitor blood pressure

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

Common side effects of Methylergonovine include:

• nausea, 
• vomiting, 
• stomach pain (caused by uterine contractions), 
• mild headache, and 
• dizziness 

Serious side effects of Methylergonovine include:

• hives, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• increased blood pressure, 
• severe headache, 
• blurred vision, 
• buzzing in the ears, 
• anxiety, 
• shortness of breath, 
• chest pain, 
• sweating, 
• pounding heartbeats, 
• fluttering in the chest, 
• seizure, 
• numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in the fingers or toes, 
• confusion, 
• hallucinations, 
• vision problems, 
• blood in the urine, and
• lightheadedness 

Rare side effects of Methylergonovine include:

• none 

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Methylergonovine has severe interactions with at least 33 other drugs. 
• Methylergonovine has serious interactions with at least 51 other drugs.
• Methylergonovine has moderate interactions with at least 40 other drugs. 
• Methylergonovine has minor interactions with no other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• (All not necessarily unanimous): Hypertension, heart disease, toxemia, pregnancy, hypersensitivity, mitral valve stenosis, prolonged use
• Cases of threatened spontaneous abortion
• Avoid during breastfeeding 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Methylergonovine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Methylergonovine?”

Cautions

• The second or third stage of labor before placenta delivery: complications such as captivation of the placenta may occur; avoid accidental injection to newborn babies
• Increased risk of myocardial ischemia and infarction with coronary artery disease or risk factors for coronary artery disease
• Sepsis, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, peripheral vascular disease
• Prolonged use may cause pleuropulmonary, cardiac, or retroperitoneal fibrosis

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks.  

Lactation

• Excreted in milk; adverse effect on nursing infants; may inhibit lactation; not recommended.  
• Wait at least 12 hours after the last dose to breastfeed.